I've started thinking again about a book to accompany Graham's jar project. These are some initial ideas for a cover and sample spread. (There's some wishful thinking on the cover, getting Ball to sponsor and pay for printing). The type on the cover is supposed to simulate what it could look like when blind embossed. The idea is that each spread will show a month's collection and jar placement will represent that month's calendar. Each "day" will show the jar and a listing if its contents underneath. Theres a mini calendar on the left to shows the actual dates. Below that is an exert from his journal for that month. The script is inspired by the journal - he used a very small and careful cursive throughout his book.
I'm posting for comments. My biggest concern is that this layout is a week short and I am afraid of the format getting way too long and skinny.
Also, the cap letters in the cursive font irk me. They are way too ornate. I have yet to find an elegant script that has understated caps. Know of any? I may end up customizing my own font, I guess.
9 comments:
the jar looks great; is that an actual sample jar from the project? I think if you can have the pictures of the jars come out cleanly it will be really great.
simulating the calendar layout reads very clearly. i wouldnt worry about the overall proportions, i imagine you can keep it more or less in the proportions of a calendar, which is not unpleasing.
i'm not initially crazy about the script font; i think primarily because it seems sort of overly-formal or fake-personal--like a wedding invitation or an advertisement from a company that wants you to believe they are part of your family, or a past century journal that was meant to be published--which i guess maybe is kind of what it is.
please update this post with a copy of your letter to and response from ball asking for sponsorship in printing, it doesnt seem out of the question that they would do it, but really interesting to see that transaction.
I know what you mean about the script. I'm sort of on the fence about it. I lean towards keeping it only because Graham used a script, but then again... if its not his handwriting what does it matter? It just becomes a knock-off, I guess.
I would have absolutely no idea how to go about writing to Ball. The other awkward part is Ball doesnt actually manufacture canning jars anymore. Its some lame company called Jarden Home Brands that maintains the original jar and imprint. Part of the appeal with getting the sponsorship would be using the kick ass Ball logo which Jarden may not go for.
Maybe Ball would do it as a legacy thing?
yeah. thats a sample jar from the project. My friend Jen has access to a bunch of photo equipment and shoots a lot of fine art for the Smithsonian. Shes going to be shooting the jars for the book so they should turn out pretty sweet.
you could also shop it around to places that might publish it, or have it published yourself.
this place comes to mind because they accept submissions:
http://www.jandlbooks.org/books1.html
and i've been reading the ed ruscha book LEAVE ANY INFORMATION AT THE SIGNAL, in which he talks a lot about publishing these really esoteric books himself
this would change your proportions drastically, but have you considered placing the list of items next to the photo? this would move it much more in line with typical book dimensions. i like the proportions as is, but i agree that with another row of cans, which you'll need, it'll become a bit much. i vote with ryan and your instincts on the font. have graham handwrite it on each page or scan his entry or use a non-script font, but i don't like the faux handcraft effect that i feel this font is intended for. the photo looks great.
i have thought about the listings to the side of the jar, but havent mocked it up yet because I can't visulaize how it all will align. I need to give it a try though because what I have aint workin. I'm also thinking of keeping the listing where they are but separating by commas rather than line breaks. That might save me enough space to fit my next row.
J and L books looks fantastic. I imagine they get a boat load of entries but, who knows, maybe the jars will spark some interest with them.
Anyone know of similar publishers? I guess key is finding a publisher that doesn't mind supporting nobodies.
I've printed a few books for work on a digital press and its decent quality and not so expensive. (This book might cost $80 a copy). My thinking is to pay for a few this way and send it out to potential publishers/sponsors.
Meg,
Loving the idea. How many months did Graham keep this up? I understand your concern about adding the fifth week, but I do really like the format/proportions you have now. My suggestion would be to elimate the list of items on the main calendar page entirely, and having it serve like more of an introductory page for each chapter/month. This is a little hard to describe, but perhaps the following pages highlight a week at a time and below are their lists as you have them now. I think it would be interesting if you kept the jars on these weekly pages the same size and placement as on the main calendar page, so that you ended up with a lot of varied negative space on each page. I really like the calendar and journal quote element and if continued on the weekly pages, the week could be highlighted on the calendar, maybe in a different color. Is this English? Does it make sense? I know this would add an additional 5 pages to each month and I have no idea if you looking for the book to be that long. I would totally buy the book.
I like the weekly idea because it would give me unlimited space to play. What I'm not keen on is showing each jar twice (once in the month and again in the week). Also not ready to give up on the full calendar but I think I'll do a week spread and see if its good enough to trade for.
I appreciate the comments, crew. The suggestions have been great.
Btw. He kept it up for 12 months. There are 366 jars (a leap year).
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